Anchor chain retracting device



Jan; 2, 1968 Filed Oct. 24, 1965 J. H- ROUNTREE 3,361,035

ANCHOR CHAIN RETRACTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l J'. L. HUNTER Roam/ea? JNVENTOR.

AT ORA/EV Jan. 2, 1968 J. 1.. H. ROUNTREE 3,351,035

ANCHOR CHAIN RETRACTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 24, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J L 1 UN 75? Rw/WREE IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,361,035 ANCHOR CHAIN RETRACTING DEVICE J. L. Hunter Rountree, 6620 Long Drive, Houston, Tex. 77017 Filed Oct. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 504,729 Claims. (Cl. 91-152) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for retracting an anchor chain by the reciprocating action of two cross heads, operating in cooperation with each other to provide a continuous retracting action on the anchor chain, wherein the retracting mechanism is empowered hydraulically, having means for reversing the flow of the hydraulic fluid at the termination of the power stroke of the respective cross heads and to repeat this action upon the termination of each power stroke.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an anchor chain retracting device.

Background of the invention In retracting anchors, it is customary to install power driven winches, usually driven by the prime mover of the vessel, such apparatus being cumbersome and bulky, as well as costly. It is an object of this invention to provide a retracting device that may be operated by an independent motor, utilizing hydraulic power, and that will be easily housed and occupying far less space than the presently used winch.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is an elevational perspective view of the device, with the hydraulic system shown in plan view and the cross heads shown in one position, and

FIGURE 2 is an elevational perspective view of the device with the hydraulic system shown in plan view and the cross heads shown in another position.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a supporting platform on which the operating mechanism is mounted, there being a raised area 2 on said platform, having a flanged overhang to provide a track for the slidably mounted cross heads 3, 4 which are formed to present a bracketed base embracing the flange of the raised area 2. A laterally extending arm 5 extends from the side of each of the cross heads 3, 4, and pivotal links 6, 6, 7, 7 joins the push rods 8, 8, 9, 9, to the cross heads.

Each cross head 3, 4 has the pair of tapered side members 10, 10, 11, 11 through which the anchor chain 12 is mounted. Shafts as 13, 13 are pivotally mounted through the upper portions of the side members 10, 11, 11 and a link engaging pawl as 14 is mounted on each of said shafts between said side members.

The pawl 14 being of heavy material and being forked to provide the desired weight distribution, rides on the links of the anchor chain 12. Actuating fingers 15, 16 are mounted on the extended ends of the shafts 13, 13. An actuating shaft 17 is pivotally mounted on the upstanding supporting members 18, 18 on the platform and shaft actuating flaps 37, 38 are mounted on the said shaft in position to be selectively engaged by the said fingers.

Hydraulic rams 19, 19 and 20, 20 are mounted on the platform and are in actuating relation with the shafts 7, 8. A hydraulic fluid line 21 runs from one end of the rams 19, 19 to the valve housing 22 and another hydraulic fluid line 36 runs from the other end of the ram 20 to the valve housing 22, and another hydraulic fluid line 23 extends from the forward end of the rams 19, 19 to the forward end of the rams 20, 20.

The hydraulic fluid in the respective lines is maintained under pressure by the motor 24 and the pump 25, which circulates the hydraulic fluid through the line 26 into the valve housing 22 and the lines 27, 28 return the fluid through the back pressure valve 29 and into the oil reservoir 30 where the oil passes through the screen 31 and through the line 32 into the pump 25 for recirculation. A relief valve 33 is provided between the line 26 and the reservoir 30.

The actuating valve 34 is connected to the shaft 17 by the link 35. As the motor 24 actuates the pump 25, hydraulic fluid will be driven through the line 26 and, when the cross heads are in the position shown in FIGURE 1, through the line 36 to actuate the rams 20, 20 and drive the cross head 4 forwardly, and the fluid in the line 23 will be driven against the opposite ends of the rams 19, 19 to move the cross head 3 rearwardly, the fluid in the rams 19, 19 being relieved through the line 27 into the reservoir 22 and from the reservoir 22 through the line 28. The pawl 14 on the shaft 13, mounted in the cross head 3, having dropped between links of the chain 12 and the lowermost finger of the fork having engaged a link in the anchor chain, is prepared to move the chain rearwardly. As the shaft 13 is thus rotated, the finger 15 of the shaft 13 will contact and actuate the flap 37 on the shaft 17 to rotate the shaft 17 and actuate the valve 34 and reverse the flow of hydraulic fluid.

As the cross head 4 moves forwardly, the pawl 14 mounted therein will ride freely over the chain 12, and the finger 16 will be out of contact with the flap 38, and as the cross head 4 approaches completion of its forward movement, the finger 16 will pass beneath the flap 38 and as the pawl 14 in the cross head drops into the area between the second link of the chain over which it has traveled, the shaft 13 in the cross head 4 will be rotated, and the finger 16 will contact the flap 38 and rotate the shaft 17, and actuate the valve 34, reversing the flow of hydraulic fluid, directing the flow through the lines 21, as shown in FIGURE 2, and the pawl 14 in the cross head 4 engaging the chain and moving it rearwardly as the ram 20 moves the cross head 4, the hydraulic fluid being relieved through the line 36 into the reservoir 22 and through the line 27 into the reservoir 30. At the end of the stroke of the ram 20, the pawl 14 in the cross head 3 will have again traveled over two chain links, as the cross head 3 is moved forwardly by the ram 19, and the finger 15 will have traveled to a position beneath the flap 37 and as the said pawl drops between the links of the chain, the shaft 13 is rotated and the flap 37 moved to rotate the shaft 17, again actuating the valve 34 and reversing the flow of hydraulic fluid,

While the foregoing is considered a preferred form of the invention, it is by way of illustration only, the broad principle of the invention being defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an anchor chain retractor, a pair of reciprocating cross heads, hydraulic means for actuating said cross heads and means for reversing the flow of power fluid at the end of each stroke of said respective cross heads, means on said cross heads for engaging an anchor chain, said means on one of said cross heads retracting said chain as the said means on the other cross head moves into engaging position.

2. In an anchor chain retractor, a support, a pair of cross heads having means for receiving an anchor chain and being reciprocably mounted on said support, pawls pivotally suspended in said cross heads in position to engage an anchor chain extending through said cross heads, a pair of hydraulic rams actuating each of said cross heads, a valve for selectively reversing the flow of hydraulic fluid to said rams, means actuated by the movement of said paWls over the chain being moved for reversing the flow of said hydraulic fluid upon the completion of each stroke of said cross heads.

3. In an anchor chain retracting device, a pair of reciprocating cross heads, each of said cross heads having spaced side members, a rotatable shaft in said side members, a pawl suspended from said rotatable shaft and bearing against the anchor chain to be retracted, a finger extending laterally from one end of said rotatable shaft, a pair of hydraulic rams actuating each of said cross heads, means for maintaining a flow of hydraulic fluid through said rams to move said cross heads in one direction and means actuated by said fingers for actuating said valve and reversing the floW of hydraulic fluid and reversing the direction of movement of said cross heads.

4. In an anchor retracting device, a support, a pair of reciprocating cross heads movably mounted on said support, hydraulic rams on said support in operative connection With said cross heads, a hydraulic system for maintaining a flow of fluid to said rams, means on said cross heads for engaging an anchor chain when moving in one direction and means on said cross heads actuated by said anchor chain engaging means for reversing the flow of hydraulic fluid upon completion of each stroke of said cross heads.

5. In an anchor retracting device, a support, a pair of reciprocating cross heads movably mounted on said support, hydraulic rams on said support in operative connection with said cross heads, a hydraulic system for maintaining a flow of fluid to said rams, means on said cross heads for engaging an anchor chain when moving in one direction and means on said cross heads actuated by said anchor chain engaging means for reversing the flow of hydraulic fluid upon completion of each stroke of said cross heads, said last mentioned means comprising a valve, actuating shaft in connection with said valve for moving said valve from one position to another position, flaps on said actuating shaft, gravity controlled means on each of said cross heads for contacting and moving one of said flaps at the termination of each stroke of said cross heads.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 777,495 12/1904 Cavanaugh 91-153 2,215,157 9/1940 PlatZner 92l40 2,264,518 12/ 1941 Foster 91191 2,449,269 9/1948 Austin 91-76 2,529,777 11/1950 McInnis 91275 2,688,232 9/1954 Geyer 74110 3,299,782 1/1967 Sunday 91-218 MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Primary Examiner.

PAUL E. MASLOUSKY, Examiner. 

